Countryside at Lyme Regis

If you want to get closer to nature, the beautiful Dorset and Devon countryside surrounds Lyme Regis and there is lots to be explored during your visit. 

The Undercliffs

The geology of the coast around Lyme Regis has helped create one of the great wilderness areas of southern England – the Undercliff National Nature Reserve. 

Following Ware Cliffs to the Undercliffs, you will find the most beautiful view of the Cobb, described by famous author John Fowles in his novel The French Lieutenants Woman as "quite simply the most beautiful sea rampart on the south coast of England."

This seven-mile undulating path to the village of Axmouth reveals an incredible diversity of wildlife and plant life.  

The River Lim

A walk alongside the River Lim (also known as River Lym) will take you away from Lyme Regis town centre and into the rural areas within 10 minutes. The valley of the Lim is just over three miles long, meandering through fields and woods until you cross the county border to arrive at the village of Uplyme in Devon.   

The path will take you over footbridges, through meadows, and past an old thatched mill, with a traditional pub and beer garden at the end of your walk.   

Cycling

You could explore the area on bike, as many of the towns and villages along the Jurassic Coast and beyond are connected along the National Cycle Network (NCN) routes. 

Route 2 passes north of Lyme Regis and heads west towards Seaton in Devon, connecting with Route 33 north in the direction of Chard. Heading east, Route 2 connects with Dorset’s county town of Dorchester, with options to join Route 26 to the coast at Weymouth. 

If you are looking for a few options for day rides, check out the Cycling in West Dorset Route 2 leaflet. Choose to cycle to Charmouth, Lambert’s Castle and Coney’s Castle hill forts, Bridport, West Bay, Dorchester or Weymouth.   

Walking Trails

It’s easy to see why Lyme Regis has so many fabulous walking routes. Not only is it part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, but it is also on the boundary of two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – Dorset and East Devon

Some of the walking trails are long distance such as the South West Coast Path, which is the UK’s longest national trail and the Wessex Ridgeway - a prehistoric route connecting Lyme with Marlborough in Wiltshire. 

Shorter routes which could be completed in a weekend or a couple of days include the 28 mile Liberty Trail connecting Lyme with south Somerset. This route follows in the footsteps of people who walked to join the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685, or the 40 mile East Devon Way between Lyme and Exeter in Devon. 

If you'd like to buy an Ordnance Survey map for the local area, look out for OS Explorer 116 for Bridport and Lyme Regis.

Coney’s Castle and Lambert’s Castle

The National Trust Iron Age hill forts at Lambert’s Castle and Coney’s Castle are about eight miles from Lyme by car or six miles walking.  

The Liberty Trail and Wessex Ridgeway walking trails follow the same route from Lyme to the hillforts.

The hill forts are one mile apart from each other and both have car parks. Dogs are welcome on leads and there are geocaches on site. Lambert’s Castle is the flatter of the two for those with mobility difficulties. For non-National Trust members, it is free entry but parking charges will apply. 

Trinity Hill

Five miles outside of Lyme will bring you to Trinity Hill which is managed by Forestry England.  

It is perfect for picnics and woodland walks with easy access trails. Dogs are welcome and there is a free car park including two accessible parking spaces.